1 Kings 2:29
New International Version
King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD and was beside the altar. Then Solomon ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada, “Go, strike him down!”

New Living Translation
When this was reported to King Solomon, he sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada to execute him.

English Standard Version
And when it was told King Solomon, “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD, and behold, he is beside the altar,” Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down.”

Berean Standard Bible
It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!”

King James Bible
And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.

New King James Version
And King Solomon was told, “Joab has fled to the tabernacle of the LORD; there he is, by the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down.”

New American Standard Bible
And it was reported to King Solomon that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD, and was beside the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, execute him.”

NASB 1995
It was told King Solomon that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD, and behold, he is beside the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, fall upon him.”

NASB 1977
And it was told King Solomon that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD, and behold, he is beside the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, fall upon him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And it was told to King Solomon that Joab had fled to the tent of Yahweh, and behold, he is beside the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, fall upon him.”

Amplified Bible
King Solomon was told that Joab had fled to the tent of the LORD and was at that moment beside the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down.”

Christian Standard Bible
It was reported to King Solomon, “Joab has fled to the LORD’s tabernacle and is now beside the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada and told him, “Go and strike him down! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the LORD’s tabernacle and is now beside the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada and told him, “Go and strike him down!”

American Standard Version
And it was told king Solomon, Joab is fled unto the Tent of Jehovah, and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.

Contemporary English Version
When Solomon heard about this, he sent someone to ask Joab, "Why did you run to the altar?" Joab sent back his answer, "I was afraid of you, and I ran to the LORD for protection." Then Solomon shouted, "Benaiah, go kill Joab!"

English Revised Version
And it was told king Solomon, Joab is fled unto the Tent of the LORD, and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
After King Solomon heard that Joab had fled to the altar in the tent of the LORD, Solomon sent Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, to kill Joab.

Good News Translation
When the news reached King Solomon that Joab had fled to the Tent and was by the altar, Solomon sent a messenger to Joab to ask him why he had fled to the altar. Joab answered that he had fled to the LORD because he was afraid of Solomon. So King Solomon sent Benaiah to kill Joab.

International Standard Version
Somebody informed King Solomon, "Joab just ran to the LORD's tent and now he's standing beside the altar!" But Solomon ordered Jehoiada's son Benaiah, "Go kill him!"

Majority Standard Bible
It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!”

NET Bible
When King Solomon heard that Joab had run to the tent of the LORD and was right there beside the altar, he ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada, "Go, strike him down."

New Heart English Bible
It was told king Solomon, "Joab has fled to the Tent of the LORD, and look, he is by the altar." And Solomon sent to Joab, saying, "What happened to you, that you have fled to the altar?" And Joab said, "Because I was afraid of you, so I fled to the LORD." And Solomon sent to Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, "Go, fall on him."

Webster's Bible Translation
And it was told to king Solomon that Joab had fled to the tabernacle of the LORD; and behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him.

World English Bible
King Solomon was told, “Joab has fled to Yahweh’s Tent; and behold, he is by the altar.” Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, fall on him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it is declared to King Solomon that Joab has fled to the tent of YHWH, and behold, [is] near the altar; and Solomon sends Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, fall on him.”

Young's Literal Translation
And it is declared to king Solomon that Joab hath fled unto the tent of Jehovah, and lo, near the altar; and Solomon sendeth Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, 'Go, fall upon him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be announced to king Solomon that Joab fled to the tent of Jehovah; and behold, by the altar. And Solomon will send Benaiah son of Jehoida, saying, Go strike upon him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it was told king Solomon, that Joab was fled into the tabernacle of the Lord, and was by the altar: and Solomon sent Banaias the son of Joiada, saying: Go, kill him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it was reported to king Solomon that Joab had fled into the tabernacle of the Lord, and that he was beside the altar. And Solomon sent Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, put him to death.”

New American Bible
King Solomon was told, “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is by the altar.” He sent Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, with the order, “Go, strike him down.”

New Revised Standard Version
When it was told King Solomon, “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and now is beside the altar,” Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it was told King Solomon that Joab had fled to the tabernacle of the LORD and had taken refuge on the horns of the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go and attack him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they revealed to the King Solomon that Yuab fled to the Tabernacle of LORD JEHOVAH and seized refuge on the horns of the altar, and King Solomon sent Benaiah, son of Yawida and said to him: “Go, fall upon him.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it was told king Solomon: 'Joab is fled unto the Tent of the LORD, and, behold, he is by the altar.' Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying: 'Go, fall upon him.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it was told Solomon, saying, Joab has fled to the tabernacle of the Lord, and lo! he has hold of the horns of the altar. And king Solomon sent to Joab, saying, What ails thee, that thou hast fled to the altar? and Joab said, Because I was afraid of thee, and fled for refuge to the Lord. And Solomon sent Banaeas son of Jodae, saying, Go and slay him, and bury him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Execution of Joab
28When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. 29It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” 30And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’ ” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.”…

Cross References
1 Kings 1:50-53
But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to Solomon: “Behold, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me not to put his servant to the sword.’” / And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.” ...

Exodus 21:14
But if a man schemes and acts willfully against his neighbor to kill him, you must take him away from My altar to be put to death.

2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.

2 Samuel 20:9-10
“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri.

1 Kings 2:5-6
Moreover, you know what Joab son of Zeruiah did to me—what he did to Abner son of Ner and Amasa son of Jether, the two commanders of the armies of Israel. He killed them in peacetime to avenge the blood of war. He stained with the blood of war the belt around his waist and the sandals on his feet. / So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray head go down to Sheol in peace.

1 Kings 2:31-34
And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.” ...

Numbers 35:22-25
But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally, / or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him, / then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. ...

Deuteronomy 19:11-13
If, however, a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait, attacks him and kills him, and then flees to one of these cities, / the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. / You must show him no pity. You are to purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, that it may go well with you.

1 Kings 1:28-30
Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him. / And the king swore an oath, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress, / I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”

1 Kings 2:36-46
Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” / “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. ...

1 Samuel 2:31-33
Behold, the days are coming when I will cut off your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that no one in it will reach old age. / You will see distress in My dwelling place. Despite all that is good in Israel, no one in your house will ever again reach old age. / And every one of you that I do not cut off from My altar, I will cause your eyes to fail and your heart to grieve. All your descendants will die by the sword of men.

2 Samuel 16:5-8
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ...

1 Kings 2:8-9
Keep an eye on Shimei the son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim who is with you. He called down bitter curses against me on the day I went to Mahanaim, but when he came down to meet me at the Jordan, I swore to him by the LORD: ‘I will never put you to the sword.’ / Now therefore, do not hold him guiltless, for you are a wise man. You know what you ought to do to him to bring his gray head down to Sheol in blood.”

Matthew 23:35
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—


Treasury of Scripture

And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled to the tabernacle of the LORD; and, behold, he is by the altar. Then Solomon sent Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall on him.

he is

Exodus 21:14
But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

Ezekiel 9:6
Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Go

1 Kings 2:25,31,46
And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died…

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1 Kings 2
1. David, having given a charge to Solomon
3. of Reverence
5. of Joab
7. of Barzillai
8. of Shimei
10. Solomon succeeds
12. Adonijah, moving Bathsheba to ask unto Solomon for Abishag,
13. is put to death
26. Abiathar, having his life given him, is deprived of the priesthood
28. Joab fleeing to the horns of the altar, is there slain
35. Benaiah is put in Joab's room, and Zadfok in Abiathar's
36. Shimei, confined to Jerusalem, by occasion of going to Gath, is put to death.














It was reported to King Solomon
This phrase indicates the communication of critical information to the king, highlighting the importance of intelligence and counsel in leadership. In the Hebrew context, the role of a king was not only to rule but to uphold justice and righteousness. Solomon, known for his wisdom, relied on trusted advisors and informants to maintain order in his kingdom. This reflects the biblical principle of seeking wise counsel, as seen in Proverbs 11:14, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."

Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD
Joab's flight to the "tent of the LORD" signifies a desperate attempt to seek asylum. The "tent of the LORD" refers to the tabernacle, a sacred place where God's presence dwelt among the Israelites. Historically, the altar was considered a place of refuge, as seen in Exodus 21:14, where it is stated that a person who kills another may flee to the altar for sanctuary. Joab's actions reveal his awareness of his guilt and his hope for divine protection, yet it also underscores the tension between justice and mercy.

and is now beside the altar
Being "beside the altar" emphasizes Joab's strategic positioning for sanctuary. The altar was central to Israelite worship and sacrificial practices, symbolizing atonement and reconciliation with God. Joab's presence there is ironic, given his history of violence and betrayal. This act of seeking refuge at the altar raises questions about the limits of sanctuary and the need for justice, as the altar was not meant to shield those guilty of premeditated murder, aligning with the biblical principle that justice must be served.

So Solomon ordered Benaiah son of Jehoiada
Solomon's command to Benaiah, a loyal and valiant warrior, reflects the king's responsibility to execute justice. Benaiah, son of Jehoiada, was a trusted military leader, known for his bravery and loyalty to David and Solomon. His role in this narrative underscores the importance of faithful service and the execution of justice as a divine mandate. Solomon's decision to send Benaiah highlights the necessity of decisive leadership in upholding God's law.

Go, strike him down!
This command is a direct and uncompromising order to execute justice. The Hebrew root for "strike down" (nakah) conveys a sense of decisive action against wrongdoing. Solomon's directive aligns with the biblical principle that those who shed innocent blood must face consequences, as seen in Genesis 9:6, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image." This act serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for justice in maintaining the moral order established by God.

Verse 29. - And it was told king Solomon that Joab was fled unto the tabernacle of the Lord; and, behold, he is by the altar. [The LXX. here inserts, "And Solomon the king sent to Joab, saying, What has happened thee, that thou art fled to the altar? And Joab said, Because I feared before thee, and I fled to the Lord." This is only a gloss, but it is an instructive one. It shows that the author regarded Joab's flight as betraying a guilty conscience.] Then Solomon sent Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, saying, Go, fall upon him. [The LXX. adds, "and bury him."]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
It was reported
וַיֻּגַּ֞ד (way·yug·gaḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

to King
לַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Solomon:
שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

“Joab
יוֹאָב֙ (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

has fled
נָ֤ס (nās)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the tent
אֹ֣הֶל (’ō·hel)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and is now
וְהִנֵּ֖ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

beside
אֵ֣צֶל (’ê·ṣel)
Preposition
Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity

the altar.”
הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

So Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֜ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

Benaiah
בְּנָיָ֧הוּ (bə·nā·yā·hū)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1141: Benaiah -- 'Yah has built up', the name of several Israelites

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jehoiada,
יְהוֹיָדָ֛ע (yə·hō·w·yā·ḏā‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3077: Jehoiada -- 'the LORD knows', the name of several Israelites

saying,
לֵאמֹ֖ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Go,
לֵ֥ךְ (lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

strike him down!”
פְּגַע־ (pə·ḡa‘-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6293: To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity


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OT History: 1 Kings 2:29 It was told king Solomon Joab (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 2:28
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